Virtual gaming as an educational tool can enhance teaching and learning.

See:

• Teenagers use mathematical modelling to play their virtual games

Call for teachers to get involved!
See message from Steve and please read the document:
The developers of Quest Atlantis (QA), from Indiana University in the USA, are looking for South African partners to pilot the QA project here and collaborate with researchers from around the world. "Quest Atlantis is an international learning and teaching project that uses a 3D multi-user environment to immerse children, ages 9-15, in educational tasks. QA combines strategies used in the commercial gaming environment with lessons from educational research on learning and motivation. It allows users to travel to virtual places to perform educational activities (known as Quests), talk with other users and mentors, and build virtual personae. Explore our site and learn more about this exciting project (http://QuestAtlantis.Org)." The call to join the International Consortium is attached. If you'd like to join the international research team (and receive a stipend) and see your learners interacting with others from around the world, as they conduct science quests in-world, then please do apply (instructions are in the doc)."

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President For A Day is a computer game which enables the players to take the role of President of an African country. Discover the problems such countries face. Decide whether to provide health care or invest in industry. Consider whether to borrow money to buy arms when the neighbouring country threatens to attack. Understand why so many such countries found themselves heavily in debt. Using leading edge technology, players interact with real-life video characters as they take their country from independence to the present day - and try to cope with the same problems that face real life African countries. As the players enjoy the game they learn a lot about geography, history, politics, economics and ethics. (The game is suitable form 12 years and up - maybe even your 10 or 11 years are capable of playing the game - putting themselves into the hot chair of the president of a country.)

The game can be purchased from http://www.damaris.org/ethosgames/p4d/index.htm .



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The Islands of jokaydia in Second Life is owned and operated by Jo Kay aka jokay Wollongong. It aims to provide a space to explore the uses of virtual worlds in education, the arts and social change. The Islands of jokaydia are self-funded and support a range of events, activities and services.
The Island of jokaydia is designed to provide a flexible and dynamic space for educators in Second Life which includes informal and formal meeting spaces, plus a range of interesting objects and tools to explore.